Court Ruled Emanuel Can Not Run for Mayor

CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 13: Former White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel announces his candidacy for mayor of Chicago November 13, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. U.S. Representative Danny Davis (D-IL) and state Senator James Meeks are also expected to declare their candidacies to succeed Mayor Richard Daley today. (Photo by John Gress/Getty Images)

Polls and fundraising suggest the former White House chief of staff and Chico were leading the race to replace retiring Mayor Richard Daley.

Chico spokeswoman Brooke Anderson says the court’s decision won’t change how the former Chicago public school board president runs his campaign. She says Chico has worked to get votes all over the city.

The court voted 2-1 on Monday to overturn a lower court ruling to keep Emanuel’s name on the Feb. 22 ballot.

The appellate court’s ruling isn’t the final step in the process, and its decision can be appealed to the Illinois Supreme Court.